Tuesday, May 26, 2009

The team was off today but there was still plenty going on here at The Home Depot Center.

The Galaxy Youth Academy had a busy weekend with the U-16 and U-18 teams travelling to Florida for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Summer Showcase. Both teams played three games at the Showcase, with the U-16's going 2-1-0 while the U-18's were 1-1-1. Jesus Rochin and Dersu Abolfathi led the U-16 and U-18 teams respectively with three goals apiece in the three games, which saw the Galaxy play teams from Florida, Michigan and New York.

The Galaxy U-20's also returned to action with a 3-0 win over the Bakersfield Brigade on Saturday. Former Galaxy defender Paul Broome will serve as the club's coach this season and started the season off on a high win the win over Bakersfield. The roster is filled with a number of carryovers from last year's U-20 roster, including UCLA midfielder Michael Stephans, UC Irvine forward Amani Walker, defender Everett Pitts and Travis Bowen, the brother of Galaxy forward Tristan Bowen. The U-20's are back in action with a pair of games this weekend against Chivas USA on Saturday at 2 p.m. at The Home Depot Center and on Sunday on the road against the Lancaster Rattlers.

Speaking of Tristan Bowen, he scored in his Hollywood United debut, coming off the bench on Friday to score in the 80th minute of HUFC's 4-3 win over the Ogden Outlaws. Bowen's goal tied the score at 3-3 in that game and seven minutes later, Israel Sesay scored his third goal in his two games with the club, giving United a 4-3 win.

In other news, the club will be hosting a series of Champions League viewing parties throughout the Southland on Wednesday afternoon for the Final between Barcelona and Manchester United. The game kicks off at 11:30 a.m. on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and the first 50 fans who make their way to the ESPN Zone at L.A. Live will receive a free $50 game card to use in ESPN Zone’s Interactive Sports Arena.

Speaking of Barcelona, individual tickets for their friendly against the Galaxy at the Rose Bowl on August 1 go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Finally, Ian Sarachan, the son of Galaxy Associate Head Coach Dave Sarachan, has joined forces with friends Luke Schweitzer and Taylor Holop to start and organization called Sporting Smiles. The organization's goal is to provide less fortunate kids with clothing, shoes and equipment to give them the chance to play a sport and put a smile on their face. In order to help achieve this goal, the organization raises funds through donations and a series of auctions that feature autographed memorabilia from some of the top players in U.S. soccer, including Michael Bradley, DaMarcus Beasley and the Galaxy's own Landon Donovan and Omar Gonzalez. Be sure to take a look through the entire website and learn how you can help.

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One of Major League Soccer's original clubs, the LA Galaxy play their home games at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. A two-time winner of both the MLS Cup (2002 and 2005) and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (2001 and 2005), the Galaxy boast a strong and rich history in MLS and around the world. With a roster that features stars like David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle and more under the eye of general manager and head coach Bruce Arena, the Galaxy will look to return to the pinnacle of MLS in 2010.